Concrete Floor Tile

cdkyle

Any of you ceramic tile applicators or flooring guys ever used a concrete floor tile? If so, what are your thoughts on them? What brand have you used? And, did you use in an interior or exterior application? Thanks

olzo55

I don't know about concrete floor tile but I did install a concrete 4x4 wall tile from Israel. The tile had a rough surface. It really sucked the water out of the thinset and grout quickly.

cdkyle

I can see that happening. You used thinset on the walls?

HS345

Why wouldn't you use thinset on walls?

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Greg

olzo55

I did this job about 15 years ago. Never had another concrete tile since. It was installed as a backsplash for a pantry countertop and had no water issues. I remember the tile being quite heavy so I chose thinset to be sure it would hold/last.

The tile surface was like beach sand cast into the concrete then glazed. It tore up my grout sponges pretty good.

How did you come across a concrete tile for this job? Where is it made?

cdkyle

I don't know. I thought on the walls, mastic was to be used. I guess I am thinking of drywall surfaces. I can see using thinset on cement board or other masonry surface. And when you speak of thinset, I think of cement based product.

HS345

You wouldn't want to use mastic in a wet location, no matter what the substrate. You also don't want to use mastic on anything larger than an 8x8 tile, though I think some mastics supposedly allow for a 12x12.

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Greg

opiethetileman

MASTIC>>>>>>>>>>>>> urgh thats a bad choice very bad.. thinset is cheaper and better in the long run period

cdkyle

Wow. Not being a tile man myself, I had no idea mastic had such a bad reputation. I do know around here, at least in the residential areas, almost all these guys use mastic on the walls, wet (showers & tubs) or not, and thinset on the floors.

The origin of my op was interest in feedback on concrete tile use. I have looked at a couple of sites that make the stuff:

http://granadatile.com/

http://www.sonomatilemakers.com/

I was actually thinking about making some myself.

opiethetileman

use laticrete MVS thinset with that stuff

angus242

I have no use for mastic...ever.

Thank you. That's all.

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Angus